2020-08-31 Special Meeting Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA                                                             31 AUGUST 2020


Council is also not immune to reputational damage from allowing events to occur which are the
source of a COVID-19 cluster and broader community transmission of the virus. Its reasons for
allowing mass gatherings to proceed in light of known concomitant health, community, tourism and
brand risks will certainly be subject to scrutiny if COVID-19 transmission occurs.

5.    Options

Option 1: Allowing both Category 1 events and Category 2 events to proceed

Council allows Category 1 and 2 events to proceed on community land in Noosa Shire

This option involves Council allowing Category 1 events (more than 10,000 participants) and
Category 2 events (500 – 10,000 participants) to proceed on community land in Noosa Shire with
a COVID Safe Event Plan but without insurance coverage for COVID-19.

Opportunities
1.  Economic boost for many sectors of the local economy.
2.  Potential for well managed COVID safe ‘large’ events to proceed.
3.  Provides opportunity for many of the Noosa’s best known events to continue.
4.  Reinforces that Noosa is ‘open’ for business, event tourism etc.
5.  Approval of the COVID Safe Event Plan and compliance is the responsibility of the State.
6.  Community acceptance is likely to be higher if virus transmission is low and border
    restrictions are maintained to minimise transmission from interstate.

Risks
1.    Congregations of large numbers of people present a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission.
2.    Significant financial and reputational risk for businesses and tourism if a COVID-19 outbreak
      occurs prompting a second wave lockdown.
3.    Council will be exposed to reputational damage and financial risk for COVID related litigation
      as a result of inadequate or no event organiser insurance coverage. Council’s defence of
      claims will be funded by the ratepayer.
4.    If the event is a ‘free range’ event without defined seating and allocated areas particularly for
      onlookers the event is unlikely to adhere to approved COVID Safe Event Management Plans
      increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.


Option 2: Council refuses to issue a permit for any event

Council does not allow Category 1, 2 or 3 events to proceed on community land in Noosa Shire

This option involves Council not allowing Category 1, 2 or 3 events and markets to proceed on
community land in Noosa Shire.

Opportunities
1.  Risk of COVID-19 transmission within the community as a result of an event is eliminated.
2.  Council’s reputation and reputational risk to the Brand moving into the Christmas holiday
    period will be untainted.
3.  Financial risk to Council from COVID related litigation and financial losses to businesses are
    avoided.
4.  For businesses and tourism the period from September 2020 – end January 2021 without
    events is likely to be busy, given the increased south east Queensland drive market and
    school holiday periods.

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